1. Describe anatomical positon. Why is it significant? (p.2)
Anatomical position assumes a standing posture, facing forward with palms forward and big toes parallel. This is significant in order to define the position of structures in relation to each other (lateral vs. medial or superior vs. inferior).
2. Identify the planes of reference used to locate the structure of the body. (p.4)
Median/saggital plane - This plane runs through the body from the head to the feet, and divides the body into left and right halves. Any plane parallel to this through the body is known as a saggital plane.
Frontal/coronal plane - This plane runs through the body from the head to the feet, and divides the body into front and rear halves.
Horizontal/transverse plane - This is any plane that runs left to right through the body and divides it into upper and lower sections.
3. Describe and be able to properly use descriptive and directional anatomical terms.
Terms of Position
Anterior and posterior - Towards the front of the body, or towards the rear of the body respectively. Also referred to as ventral and dorsal respectively.
Superior and inferior - Towards the head, or towards the feet respectively.
Lateral and medial - Away or towards the median plane respectively.
Internal and extermal - Toward and away from the center/core.
Superficial, deep, and intermediate - Superficial structures are closer to the skin than deeper structures. Intermediate is in between superficial and deep.
Proximal and distal - Further from or nearer to the limb's connection to the trunk respectively.
Terms of Movement
Flexion - where there is a reduction in the angle between bones or parts of the body. This term applies only to movement along the sagittal or median plane. An example of arms flexing is lifting a dinner plate. When applied to the trunk of the body, this term means bowing forwards.
Extension - is the opposite of flexion, and there is an increase in the angle. This term applies only to movement along the sagittal or median plane. With the trunk of the body, this movement is bowing backwards.
Adduction - where there is a reduction in the angle between bones or parts of the body. This only applies to movement along the coronal plane. An example of this is where extending arms outwards as if to fly.
Abduction - the exact opposite, with an increase in the angle. Also only applies to movement along the coronal plane.
Rotation - is rotation of an entire limb clockwise (laterally) or anticlockwise (medially).
Circumduction - is a special case of movement involving adduction, flexion, extension and abduction. The resulting movement creates a circular path of movement. The only joint in the human body capable of circumduction is the shoulder.
Supination - the roation of the hand so that the palm faces anteriorly. The hand is supine (facing anteriorly) in the anatomical position.
Pronation - is the anterior movement of an object. This term is often applied to the jaw.
Dorsiflexion - means to flex toes upwards
Plantarflexion - meaning to extend toes downwards
Inversion - the movement of the sole towards the median plane. (same as when an ankle is twisted).
Eversion - the movement of the sole of the foot away from the median plane.
Special Cases
In the anatomical position, the penis is considered to be erect and pointing upwards, i.e. the dorsal side of the penis is what one would normally call its top side.
The tongue has a dorsal side which is facing upwards (the side that tastes).
Introduction
1. Describe anatomical positon. Why is it significant? (p.2)
Anatomical position assumes a standing posture, facing forward with palms forward and big toes parallel. This is significant in order to define the position of structures in relation to each other (lateral vs. medial or superior vs. inferior).
2. Identify the planes of reference used to locate the structure of the body. (p.4)
Median/saggital plane - This plane runs through the body from the head to the feet, and divides the body into left and right halves. Any plane parallel to this through the body is known as a saggital plane.
Frontal/coronal plane - This plane runs through the body from the head to the feet, and divides the body into front and rear halves.
Horizontal/transverse plane - This is any plane that runs left to right through the body and divides it into upper and lower sections.
3. Describe and be able to properly use descriptive and directional anatomical terms.
Terms of Position
Anterior and posterior - Towards the front of the body, or towards the rear of the body respectively. Also referred to as ventral and dorsal respectively.
Superior and inferior - Towards the head, or towards the feet respectively.
Lateral and medial - Away or towards the median plane respectively.
Internal and extermal - Toward and away from the center/core.
Superficial, deep, and intermediate - Superficial structures are closer to the skin than deeper structures. Intermediate is in between superficial and deep.
Proximal and distal - Further from or nearer to the limb's connection to the trunk respectively.
Terms of Movement
Flexion - where there is a reduction in the angle between bones or parts of the body. This term applies only to movement along the sagittal or median plane. An example of arms flexing is lifting a dinner plate. When applied to the trunk of the body, this term means bowing forwards.
Extension - is the opposite of flexion, and there is an increase in the angle. This term applies only to movement along the sagittal or median plane. With the trunk of the body, this movement is bowing backwards.
Adduction - where there is a reduction in the angle between bones or parts of the body. This only applies to movement along the coronal plane. An example of this is where extending arms outwards as if to fly.
Abduction - the exact opposite, with an increase in the angle. Also only applies to movement along the coronal plane.
Rotation - is rotation of an entire limb clockwise (laterally) or anticlockwise (medially).
Circumduction - is a special case of movement involving adduction, flexion, extension and abduction. The resulting movement creates a circular path of movement. The only joint in the human body capable of circumduction is the shoulder.
Supination - the roation of the hand so that the palm faces anteriorly. The hand is supine (facing anteriorly) in the anatomical position.
Pronation - is the anterior movement of an object. This term is often applied to the jaw.
Dorsiflexion - means to flex toes upwards
Plantarflexion - meaning to extend toes downwards
Inversion - the movement of the sole towards the median plane. (same as when an ankle is twisted).
Eversion - the movement of the sole of the foot away from the median plane.
Special Cases
In the anatomical position, the penis is considered to be erect and pointing upwards, i.e. the dorsal side of the penis is what one would normally call its top side.
The tongue has a dorsal side which is facing upwards (the side that tastes).